"Taking the HiSET®exam can help turn a job into a career."

Could this path to success be like yours?

Rewrite your story with the HiSET® exam.

Introducing a new alternative to the GED® test.

No matter where life has taken you, the HiSET® exam gives you the chance to take it in a new direction. It's a new way to earn the same high school credential — and take the first step toward success in the workplace or continuing your education.

Advantages of the HiSET exam

Accepted by employers and colleges nationwide.

An affordable investment for your future.

Convenient test centers, offering computer- and paper-based formats.

Available in English and Spanish.

The HiSET exam is offered by ETS, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance quality and equity in education.

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Where can you take the test?

The HiSET exam is currently offered in select states. Choose a state from the menu to learn its specific requirements. If you don't see the location you're looking for, check back soon — states are being added often.

To take the HiSET exam in the state of California, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Age:

You must meet any ONE of the following requirements:

You are 18 years of age or older or within 60 days of your 18th birthday (regardless of school enrollment status).

You are within 60 days of when you would have graduated from high school had you remained in school and followed the usual course of study. (You may not currently be enrolled in school.)

You are 17 years old and out of school for at least 60 consecutive days. You must also provide a letter of request from the military, a postsecondary educational institution or a prospective employer.

You are 17 years of age and incarcerated in a California state or county correctional facility. If you are testing under these conditions, you must meet all of the following criteria:

You do not have a realistic chance of completing the requirement for a high school diploma.

You have adequate academic skills to successfully complete the HiSET test battery.

You understand the options available regarding acquisition of a high school diploma, the high school equivalency certificate, or the high school proficiency certificate and the requirements, expectations, benefits and limitations of each option.

You have sufficient commitment time left to complete the entire battery of HiSET tests; however, if released from incarceration before the test is finished, you may do so at an authorized testing center.

NOTE: If you pass the HiSET exam at age 17, you will not receive the equivalency certificate until you are 18. You will receive a letter of intent stating that the certificate is being held pending your 18th birthday.

Residency:

You must presently live in California or be physically present and have domicile in California for a work study, study visa, or armed forces assignment.

NOTE: If you are taking the HiSET exam in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), please see LAUSD HiSET Requirements.

Test Preparation or Instruction:

You are not required to take HiSET preparation courses before taking the test.

Practice Test:

You are not required to take the HiSET practice test before taking the exam.

Identification:

Identity and age must be verified by current photo identification at time of scheduling and/or before admittance to the testing room. The identification must include your name, birth date, signature, photograph and address. Acceptable identification (ID) includes: valid driver's license or ID card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles, an ID card issued by the military, an ID card issued by the U.S. or foreign government, a passport issued by the U.S. or foreign government, a tribal ID card, or an ID card issued by a postsecondary school.

To take the HiSET exam in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) in the state of California, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Age:

You must meet any ONE of the following requirements:

You are 18 years of age or older or within 60 days of your 18th birthday (regardless of school enrollment status).

You are within 60 days of when you would have graduated from high school had you remained in school and followed the usual course of study. (You may not currently be enrolled in school.)

You are 17 years old and out of school for at least 60 consecutive days. You must also provide a letter of request from the military, a postsecondary educational institution or a prospective employer.

You are 17 years of age and incarcerated in a California state or county correctional facility. If you are testing under these conditions, you must meet all of the following criteria:

You do not have a realistic chance of completing the requirement for a high school diploma.

You have adequate academic skills to successfully complete the HiSET test battery.

You understand the options available regarding acquisition of a high school diploma, the high school equivalency certificate, or the high school proficiency certificate and the requirements, expectations, benefits and limitations of each option.

You have sufficient commitment time left to complete the entire battery of HiSET tests; however, if released from incarceration before the test is finished, you may do so at an authorized testing center.

NOTE: If you pass the HiSET exam at age 17, you will not receive the equivalency certificate until you are 18. You will receive a letter of intent stating that the certificate is being held pending your 18th birthday.

Residency:

You must presently live in California or be physically present and have domicile in California for a work study, study visa, or armed forces assignment.

Test Preparation or Instruction:

Though LAUSD does not require a practice test, we do encourage you to visit your local adult school to take a basic reading, writing and math test and speak with a counselor. Being prepared is important, and LAUSD offers classes to help you study and get ready. Please call 1-888-730-EARN (3276) to find a program near you.

Identification:

Identity and age must be verified by current photo identification at time of scheduling and/or before admittance to the testing room. The identification must include your name, birth date, signature, photograph and address. Acceptable identification (ID) includes: valid driver's license or ID card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles, an ID card issued by the military, an ID card issued by the U.S. or foreign government, a passport issued by the U.S. or foreign government, a tribal ID card, or an ID card issued by a postsecondary school.

To take the HiSET exam in the state of Iowa, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Age:

You must be at least 18 years old to take the HiSET exam without meeting special circumstances.

If you are 16 years old, you must meet one of the following exceptions:

A resident of an Iowa Juvenile Institution (State Training Schools at Eldora and Mitchellville or the Iowa Juvenile Home at Toledo)

Placed under the supervision of a Juvenile Probation Office

Participating in the Job Corps program

If you are 17, not a resident of an Iowa State Training School or Iowa Juvenile Home, and not under the supervision of a probation office, you may still take the HiSET exam. However, please note that even if you meet these criteria, and you take and pass the HiSET exam, you will not be able to receive your state-issued high school equivalency diploma until you reach age 18 and your class from 9th grade has graduated.

Residency:

You do not have to be a resident of Iowa.

Test Preparation or Instruction:

Iowa requires all test takers to receive instruction in an adult education classroom before taking the HiSET exam. The amount of instruction varies by test center. You can find an adult education program by visiting Iowa's adult education programs.

Practice Test:

You must take the official HiSET half-length practice test before taking the official HiSET exam. Official practice test verification is required for admittance to testing and is available through your Adult Education and Literacy program.

Identification:

You must present identification on test day. A valid driver's license, passport, military ID, or other form of government-issued (national or foreign) ID that shows name, address, date of birth, signature and photograph are acceptable forms of identification. Outdated or expired identification will not be accepted. Official practice test verification is also necessary on test day. For candidates 18 years old and under, a drop form or proof of non-enrollment is necessary.

To take the HiSET exam in the state of Louisiana, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Age:

You must be at least 16 years old. Individuals who are 16–18 must provide all of the following additional documentation to be eligible to test:

Withdrawal from K-12 system

Enrollment in and/or authorization by an approved WorkReady U literacy program

A passing score on the half-length High School Equivalency Practice Test

16 and 17 year olds only: an approved age waiver of documentation of current enrollment in a state-approved Louisiana Options/Connections program

Residency:

You do not have to be a resident of Louisiana.

Test Preparation or Instruction:

The state of Louisiana requires test preparation or instruction and authorization to test for eligible students 16–18 years of age.

Practice Test:

Not required for Individuals 19 years of age or older.

Individuals 16–18 years of age must qualify to take the HiSET exam by taking the half-length HiSET Practice Test and scoring a minimum of 8 on each subtest, with an average score of 45. Qualifying scores on the half-length HiSET Practice Test shall be certified by state-approved adult education sites of instruction or HiSET test centers. Any state-approved adult education site of instruction may recommend an individual to take the HiSET exam.

Identification:

All applicants must present identification on test day. Driver's licenses, valid passports, military IDs, or other forms of government-issued (national or foreign) ID that show name, address, date of birth, signature and photograph are acceptable forms of identification. Outdated or expired identification will not be accepted.

To take the HiSET exam in the state of Massachusetts, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Age:

You must be 18 or older with no qualifications. If you are 16 or 17, you must bring the official letter of withdrawal from your last school of attendance. Failure to provide documentation will prohibit you from taking the exam.

School Enrollment Status:

You must NOT be enrolled in any secondary school program and must not have received a high school diploma or high school equivalency credential.

Residency:

You must be a resident of Massachusetts, living at a Massachusetts address.

Test Preparation or Instruction:

You are not required to take HiSET preparation courses before taking the test.

Practice Test:

You are not required to take the HiSET practice test before taking the exam.

Identification:

You must present proper identification (ID) at the test center for each test session. An outdated or expired ID will not be accepted. Failure to provide documentation will prohibit you from taking the exam. Approved ID documents include:

A valid passport, valid driver's license from any state, state-issued ID card, national ID card, or military ID card.

To take the HiSET exam in the state of Maine, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Age:

You must be at least 18 years old.

Residency:

You do not have to be a resident of Maine. However, you must take at least one of the five HiSET subtests from a Maine test center and meet all eligibility requirements for the state of Maine to be eligible to be awarded the Maine High School Equivalency Diploma.

Test Preparation or Instruction:

Other than the HiSET Practice Test (see below), Maine does not have any test preparation or instruction requirements to take the initial test. Test takers are encouraged to prepare for the HiSET exam at a local adult education site.

Practice Test:

You must first take and pass the HiSET official practice test at a local adult education test center or provide similar evidence (to the satisfaction of the Maine local test center HiSET Chief Examiner) of being prepared to test. Local test centers may impose additional requirements concerning age waivers, initial testing and retesting through local school board policies.

Identification:

You must present identification on test day. A valid State of Maine ID, driver's license, passport, military ID, or other form of government-issued (national or foreign) ID that shows name, address, date of birth, signature and photograph are acceptable forms of identification. Outdated or expired identification will not be accepted.

To take the HiSET exam in the state of Missouri, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Age:

You must be at least 16 years of age and out of high school. If you are 16 years of age, you must also have completed at least 16 units toward high school graduation.

Residency:

You must be a resident of Missouri.

Test Preparation or Instruction:

Missouri does not have any test preparation or instruction requirements to take the initial test. However, it does encourage instruction before retesting.

Practice Test:

No requirements.

Identification:

You must present identification on test day. A valid permanent or temporary Missouri license (Driver, Nondriver, Intermediate, Commercial or Instruction (learner’s) permit), U.S. passport, or U.S. military ID. Outdated or expired identification will not be accepted.

To take the HiSET exam in the state of Montana, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Age:

You must be at least 17 years old and not enrolled in high school.

Residency:

You must be a resident of Montana. You will need to provide a valid driver's license or other proof of residency. Contact your state office for information about proof of residency. If testing on a military installation or in a federal correctional institution, you must claim Montana as your state of residency.

Test Preparation or Instruction:

No requirements.

Practice Test:

Not required to qualify for the HiSET exam.

Identification:

You must present identification on test day. A valid driver's license, passport, military ID, or other form of government-issued (national or foreign) ID that shows name, address, date of birth, signature and photograph are acceptable forms of identification. Outdated or expired identification will not be accepted.

To take the HiSET exam in the state of New Jersey, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Age:

You must be 18 to take the test without meeting special conditions. If you are 16 or 17, you need a signed letter from your parent or legal guardian stating that he or she gives permission for you to take the test and understands that by doing this, you are being taken out of the public school system.

Residency:

You must be a resident of New Jersey.

Test Preparation or Instruction:

You are not required to take HiSET preparation courses before taking the test.

Practice Test:

You are not required to take a practice test before taking the exam.

Identification:

You must present proper identification (ID) on test day at the HiSET test center. You must provide two primary IDs and two secondary IDs. One of the forms of identification must show New Jersey Residency. If they don't, a bill, bank statement, lease, etc., must be provided as well. The following are acceptable forms of ID:

Candidates cannot combine scores across languages. You must take all sections of the exam in the same language. For example, you may not take three tests in Spanish and two tests in English. The state of New Jersey will not issue a diploma for batteries with Scores combined across languages.

To take the HiSET exam in the state of Nevada, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

School Enrollment Status:

You must neither be enrolled nor required to be enrolled in high school, and you must be without a high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate.

Age:

18 years and older: You may take the HiSET exam if you have not already passed a state-approved high school equivalency assessment.

16–17 years old: You may test under certain conditions. You must present official written permission of withdrawal from compulsory attendance from the board of trustees of a school district (or their designee within the school district or at your zoned school), along with signed parental permission, to your local test center in order to be able to take the exam.

Residency:

You must be a resident of Nevada. There is no minimum residency requirement. You will be required to show proof of residency prior to testing.

Practice Test:

Your local test center or education agency may require you to demonstrate readiness prior to actual testing. Check with your local test center before registering.

Identification:

You must present valid photo identification (ID) on test day at the state-approved high school equivalency test center. A valid driver's license, passport, military ID, or other form of government-issued identification that shows name, address, date of birth, signature and photograph are acceptable forms of ID. Outdated or expired IDs will not be accepted.

To take the HiSET exam in the state of New Hampshire, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Age:

You must be at least 18 years of age and out of high school.

Residency:

You must be a resident of New Hampshire or have physically resided in New Hampshire. You will need to provide proof that you live in New Hampshire with a valid driver's license or other proof of residency.

Test Preparation or Instruction:

No requirements. However, instruction is encouraged before retesting.

Practice Test:

Not required.

Identification:

You must present identification on test day. A valid driver's license, passport, military ID, or other form of government-issued (national or foreign) ID that shows name, address, date of birth, signature and photograph are acceptable forms of identification. Outdated or expired identification will not be accepted.

To take the HiSET exam in the state of Tennessee, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Age:

You must be at least 18 years of age without a high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate. If you are 17 years old, you must have an age waiver signed by the Director of Schools before you can test.

Residency:

You do not have to be a resident of Tennessee.

Test Preparation or Instruction:

No requirements.

Practice Test:

Tennessee requires all test takers to complete an official HiSET Practice Test. You will be required to show proof of completion prior to testing.

Identification:

You must present identification on test day at the HiSET test center. A valid driver's license, passport, military ID, or other form of government-issued (national or foreign) ID that shows name, address, date of birth, signature and photograph are acceptable forms of identification. Outdated or expired identification will not be accepted.

Start by creating a My HiSET® Account.

It's the first step toward getting your high school equivalency certificate! With an account, you'll be able to search for test centers, dates and times, and — when you're ready — register for the test.